I bite the pad of my thumb to keep from being the cry baby in the room as Jagger-who’s both surprised and touched-hugs the hell out of her. Luckily, I grab my phone in time to get a picture of the moment. Oran swoops in when Jagger lets go of her and gives Ainslee his own big hug. I grab a picture of that as well while wondering if my friend still has a spine.
Speaking of pictures, the gift Ainslee gave Oran was super sexy. I love suggestive photos and she nailed it.
Everyone’s eating dessert and now that I have a moment. I pull my husband into a big hug.
“What’s this for?” He sighs as he returns it freely.
We’re outside and the cool breeze feels amazing on my bare arms. “I didn’t want to get in the middle of such a touching moment so I’m getting my hug now.”
“Jealous?” he teases with a sweet smile.
“With Ainslee, never. If you hug an unapproved bitch, we’ll see which one of us is crazy.”
With a laugh, he kisses my forehead. “Oh, I almost want to hug a random girl to see what happens.”
I rest my chin on his chest and smile up at him. “Don’t play with me, hubby.”
“Says the one full of jokes, wifey.”
I scrunch my nose. “I guess you don’t likewifey.Good because I don’t likehubby.Don’t say that shit again.”
“Shut up and kiss me,” I tell him.
Jagger grabs my jaw. “Shut up before I eat dessert off your ass and not let you have any of the fun.”
I sigh. “And you wonder why I love you.”
His thumb ring grazes my lips when he traces them. “No. I know why you love me. Plus, don’t think I missed those tears your big-hearted ass was trying to spill earlier. You’re such a softie.”
“It was a beautiful moment and I know how much it means to both of you.”
“It was, and I’m happy that you were there. I want to share all the good moments with you.”
I didn’t doubt his statement, but if I did, the raw openness in his golden-brown gaze as he looks at me like he can see my soul would have sealed it. The heart flutters are back. It’s crazy how Jagger makes me swoon without trying.
Jagger
The dayafter the party Oran and Ainslee went on a birthday adventure while Karessa and I relaxed. While it’s fun to do group activities, I enjoyed one on one time with my wife. It’s still amazing to me that we’re married when not even a year ago I thought I’d marry someone else. Now, I cannot imagine Karessa being in my life in any way other than how she is right now. It’s the last night of our honeymoon and I can say it’s been some of the best days of my life. Karessa brought up how our high school would have an end of the year bonfire for the seniors. It was a good exercise in honoring the past but embracing the future since some things shouldn’t be carried forward. We all agreed that it would be a fun thing to do now. It’s the end of our honeymoon but we have our relationships ahead of us.
Plus, there is baggage all of us could release. Ainslee says our name to pull us out of our thoughts. The look on her face tells me the subject is serious, and with the way Oran holds her hand I know it’s a big deal. It gets a serious look on her.
We listen as she reveals horrible information about one of the people who’s supposed to love her the most. Mikonos appears and sits next to her to hold her free hand. She gives us more details about her mother’s abuse and I don’t have to look at my wife to know she’s about to cry.
I feel anger building inside of me and it sucks that I don’t have an outlet. Ainslee and I may have fought our whole lives, but I never would have hurt her. It pisses me off that we spent so much time together and I never noticed. Never saw the signs. Her mother is gone now and it’s for the best. I’d cuss her out and be on Andres’ shit list or dead had I found out any other way.
Our dysfunctional relationship makes sense and she admits she needed a reason to lash out and I gave her those reasons. While it’s good to know that I helped some, it doesn’t take away from what she endured in silence.
What the fuck is wrong with our parents?
Mikonos’ joke eases some of the tension and we make a toast to the past but the aggravation still lingers. I know without talking to Oran that he probably outed her and that’s why she’s dead. Opting to channel my energy in something I can control, I pull Karessa close and give her the hug I know she needs.
“Do you know one of the reasons why I love you, Karebear?”
She blinks a few times and looks up at me like she wasn’t about to cry. “Why?”
“Your empathy. You care for us and even hurt for us when we’re too numb to do it for ourselves. You have a big heart and even if you have been betrayed in the past, you never let that change who you are at the core.”
Her bottom lip trembles and she sniffs. “Are you trying to make me cry?”
